Sliding roof for vehicles



SLIDING ROOF FOR VEHICLES Filed June 18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet l A Homey 5Jan. 20, 1,948. H. MOBBS ET AL SLIDING ROOF FOR VEHICL Filed June 187,/1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Altornys H. MOBBS ET AL Jan. 20, 1948.V

SLIDING ROOF FOR VEHICLES Filed June 18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 www Altorneys Jan. 20, 1948. H. MOBBS Vl-:T AL 2,434,711

SLIDING ROOF FOR VEHICLES Filed June 18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 AttorneysMMM@ Jan. 20, 1948. H. MoBBs ,E1-AL SLIDING ROOF FOR VEHICLES Filed June18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 f3 mal/f am Aff/P5697 705551 Attorneys Jan.20, 1948. Y H. MoBBs :a1-A1. 2,434,711

SLIDING ROOF FORy VEHICLES Filed June 18, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 LBy Attorneys Patented Jan. 20, 1948 SLIDING ROOF FOR VEHICLES Herbert Mobbs,Church Brampton, near Northampton, and George Henry Smith, Slough,England Application June 18, 1945, Serial No. 600,076 In Great BritainJune 5, 1944 6 Claims. (Cl. 296-137) 'I'his invention relates to roofsfor automobiles having a iixed portion at the rear and a slidableportion at the front which can be drawn forward to close the roof, orpushed back to provide an open space in the front of said roof forventilation and for outlook. It is the principal object of thisinvention to provide a form of roof for an automobile which when openwill provide a clear space for outlook upwardly and forwardly as free aspossible from obstruction, while the sliding portion or panel shall beeasy to operate from within the vehicle. A further object is to providesuch a roof in which the sliding panel may be supported so as to becapable of rocking about a transverse axis near the middle thereof underspring action, being locked in a forward position by manually operatedlocking means in such a position that it forms a continuation of theIixed portion of the roof forwardly up to the windscreen, while whenunlocked the rocking of said panel under spring action 'may bring itinto a position such that it is free to pass under the iixed portion oisaid roof when pushed rearwardly. Further objects are to provide for theeiective lateral guidance of such a sliding panel when unlocked at thefront, and to provide airtight and weathertight joints between saidpanel and said windscreen on the one hand, and between said panel andXed roof on the other hand when in the locked position. These and otherobjects are attained by the roof structure hereinafter described anddened by the claims.

Throughout this description and claims the sliding portion of the roofis referred to as a panel to distinguish it from the iixed portion, butthe word panel is used to include a sliding portion which forms a truecontinuation of the fixed portion forwardly when in a closed position,extending over the top and side parts of the automobile body so thatwhen said panel is pushed back it may provide as clear a view aspossible through the front upper part of said automobile.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanyingdrawings in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automobile towhich the invention has been applied, showing the sliding panel in itsfully retracted position;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section of the roof of such an automobileshowing in full lines the sliding panel in a closed position, and indotted lines at a the position which the sliding panel takes whenreleased, and in dotted lines at b the sliding panel in a fullyretracted position;

Figure 3 is a cross section taken on the line III-III of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a partial cross section taken on the line IV-IV of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a side elevation drawn to a smaller scale showing thesliding panel in its forward closed position;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal section through part of a roof showing amodied form of sliding panel and guides therefor in the closed position,and in dotted lines c in the released position, the section being takenon the line VI-VI of Figure 7;

Figure 7 is a partial underneath plan View of the roof oi Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a partial transverse section taken on the line VIII-VIII ofFigure 6;

Figures 9, 10 and 11 are partial transverse sections taken on the linesIX--IX, X-X and XLI- XI respectively of Figure 6;

Figure 12 is a partial longitudinal section of a roof showing anothermodication, taken on the line XII-XII of Figure 13;

Figure 13 is a partial underneath plan View of Figure 12;

Figures 14 to 17 are partial cross sections taken on the lines XIV-XIV,XV-XV, XVI-XVI and XVII- XVII respectively of Figure l2.

Referring rst to Figures 1 to 5, the automobile there shown has a Xedroof 20 over the rear of the body and a sliding panel 2l adapted toclose the iront part thereof. This panel 2i is guided in its movementsby tubular guides 22 which extend from the frame 23 of the windscreenback to attachments such as brackets 24 and 25 on the sides I9 of theautomobile body beneath the xed roof 20, as best seen in Figures 2 and3. The guides 22 are curved approximately to the foreand-ait curvatureof the roof as a whole but come nearer to the top at the front as seenin Figure 2, and are lower beneath the fixed roof 20 so as to guide thepanel when retracted beneath the xed roof. The guides 22 provide a tiebetween the xed roof 20 and the windscreen which strengthens the roofstructure of the automobile, but leaves a substantially unobstructed airspace and view space forwardly and upwardly when the sliding panel isretracted as in Figure 1. The panel 2l forms a continuation of the fixedroof 20 when in its forward position as seen in Figure 5, not only ofthe top but of the sides down to the level of the tops of the doors 26,which may be channelled as at 2l, Figure 4, to carry away any moisturewhich may pass under the gutters 28 at the sides of the sliding panel 2I.

Slides 30 are arranged to work and to slide back and forth along theguides 22 and are connected by pivots 32 with lugs 3l fixed underneaththe panel 2i near each side thereof and about mid-Way between its frontand rear ends so that the panel 2l can rock about the transverse axisformed by the pivots 32. Springs 33 disposed between forward extensionsof the slides 30 and the sliding panel tend to lift the panel in frontof the pivots 32 while depressing it at the rear, causing the panel tooccupy the position shown in dotted lines at a, Figure 2, when `in itsforward position but free to rise at the front. The rear end of thepanel has a depressed extension 35 which normally lies beneath the fixedroof 2D, and terminates in a lip to catch any moisture which enters atthe joint between the fixed roof 2l) and the panel 2l, so as to conveysuch moisture to the sides of the panel where it is dis: charged. Thexed roof has a sealing'strip of rubber or the like 35 beneath it nearthe front serving to form van air and water seal between the fixed roofand panel when t-he latter is in the closed position as shown in fulllines in Figure 2. The top of the body l'may be made with a gutterorchannel 38, as seen in Figure 3, to accommodate the sides of the panel2i and to conduct away moisture. The fixed -roof Zi has lateralgutters'SS as usual. l'Ihe gutter 28 of the panel 2l extends all'aroundthe front thereof, and beneath the panel at the front `is va sealingstrip 35 of rubber or the like which makes an airtight and watertightjoint 4between the front of the panel 2l and the frame 23 of thewindscreen, when the front of the panel is pulled down as in Figure 2.Any suitable form of lock may be provided for securing the panel in itsclosed position or in any other position 'of adjustmentif required. Inthe example shown,Y a handle 3l beneath the panel serves to operatealock which may be of the type hereinafter described withv reference toFigures 6 and '7 for example.

When the panel 2l is pulled forward and its front end is drawn downbythe handle 31, which is turned as hereinafter described to operate thelockingv device, the panel is rocked yabout the axis 32 so that itsforward end closes upon the top of the frame of the windscreen 23, whileits rear end rises to contact with the sea-ling strip 35, and the panelthen forms a substantial continuation of the' curvature of the fixedroof 2Q toward the front, both at the top and the sides. When the handle3i is turned to release the lock, the front of the panel 2l rises to thedotted vline position indicated at a, Figure 2, while its rear end fallsunder the action of the springs'33, and the panel can then be pushedback to any desired extent beneath the fixed roof 20 until it reachesits fully retracted position indicated in dotted lines at b, Figure 2.Even when fully forward as at a, Figure 2, the panel provides forsubstantial ventilation between itself and the windscreen, and therelease of the lock maybe used for this purpose. The rocking movement ofthe panel is checked `by its depressed rear part 3ft coming down uponthe guides 22, but any other form of stop may be provided to limit' theturning movement and to hold the panel in a position in which it willpass freely under'the fixed roof 20 when retracted.

Referring now to Figures to 11, the construction' there shown has afixed roof 2d and windscreen frame 23 as "before, but instead of tubularguides 22 there are now provided side rails il of angular form withextensions il which, in the rear part, are secured to the tops of thesides of the body I3, and in the front part form a frame against whichthe tops of the front doors li2 will close. The angular side rails Mlextend forwards and are secured at their ends to the frame 23 of thewindscreen. A sliding runner 44 nts, by means of resilient packing 153of felt or the like, which eliminates noise and reduces friction, oneach rail i3 and can travel 'thereon in a foreand-aft direction. Eachrunner carries a bracket i5 with a socket which accommodates a pivot d6.The sliding panel 5l has strengthening channels Q8 in the middle and 49near each side extending longitudinally and connected to transversemembers `5 and 52 at the front and back. The side channels 139 carrybrackets l1 which accommodate the pivot pins 46 and enable the panel'asawhole to rock about a transverse axis provided by the pvot pins i6 ateach side. In order to steady the panel 5i laterally in intermediatepositions of adjustment, metal tongues or leaf springs 53 near the frontand 54 near the rear are provided at each side, secured at one endl ofeach to the transverse members T52 and 52 respectively, and carrying attheir outer ends angle brackets 55 and'v 53 respectively vwhichengagewith the runners M while allowing of the `rocking movements of-thepanel 5I. The springs-53 and 513 exert a tension in the .directiontending to turn the panel 5| so that its-front rises land its rear endfalls, until the panel occupies the position shown in dotted lines at cin Figure 6. These springs 53 and 55 therefore serve with their endbrackets 55 and "56 to actas lateral steadies or guides while thesprings serve the purpose for which the spr-ings 33 are used in Figures1 to 5. The rear end of the panel is depressed as at 5T to pass underthe fixed roof and to be lifted to engage with the rubber pad or sealyat 35, as in the first described construction, when the panel is in itsclosed position as vshown in full lines in Figure 6.

For locking the roof and pushing it back and forth a handle 60- isprovided having its stem fixed in a disc Si mounted to turn in thetransverse member Eil and `linked to rodsy 63 which slide in guides t2near their outer ends. The ends of these rods are shaped to engage underbevelled or rounded-blocks 611 affixed beneath the angular rails do nearthe front, as `shown inFigure 8, when the handle-'50 is turned lto causethe rods 63 to move outwardly. This serves to lock the panel with itsforward end vdrawnf'down inthe closedY position over the frame 23 of thewindscreen as shown in full lines in- Figure 6, where a rubber sealingstrip 651s also shown. When the panel is to be released the handle 60-is turned to draw back the rods 63, unlocking the front end and allowingthe panel to rock until Ait occupies position c, Figure 6, under theaction of springs 53 and'li. The panel is then free to pass under thefixedy roof 2i] and can be pushedv back to any required extent. A spring61, Figure '7, acts as a brake to restrict the free movement of disc 6l,said spring' 67 engaging in front or at the rear of a projection @ilr onthe disc 6l when the rods 63 are extended-or` retracted respectively.

Referring now vto Figures 1^2-to` 1'7 inclusive, the panel il thereshown is similarin `form to the panels already described and can bepushed back under thexed roof 23 or locked when engaging over the' frameofthe 'windscreen 23as before. In this caseaiso angular guides i0 areused as in Figures 6 to 11 and runners 'i2 with felt pads 13 work overthe angular guides. The runners have lugs extending upwardly near theirmid-points to support bolts 765 which form pivotal supports for theframe members 75 forming part of the structure of the panel 7|. Thefront end of the panel is pressed up by springs it between the runners72 and the frame members 75, located by projections punched in themembers 72 and 75 as shown in Figure 15. The locking device shown inFigures 12 to 14 corresponds with that shown in Figures '7 and 8 and isnumbered accordingly.

In order to provide against lateral movements of the panel 7| whenunlocked, the runners 72 are provided with angular projections 77 nearthe rear end which engage between tongues 78 punched out of the metal ofthe frame members 75 when the panel is rocked about its pivots by thespring 76. Hollow rubber pads 79, Figure 12, provide a resilientweathertight seal between the rear` of the panel and the xed roof 2liwhen the front is locked by the locking device shown in Figure 13, whichis similar to that shown in Figures 7 and 8.

The invention is not limited to the particular examples hereinbeforedescribed and the details of construction may obviously be modified inmany respects without departing from the scope of the invention. Wheresliding surfaces are provided any usual means such as rollers forreducing friction may of course be added and the guide bars may take anyconvenient form. The form of the panel may vary according to the type ofautomobile to which it is applied and the shape of its roof structure.

We claim:

1. In an automobile, a roof structure comprising a xed roof extendingover the rear part thereof and a sliding panel adapted to constitute aforward extension of said fixed roof, guides extending forwardly fromthe xed roof near each side and slides movable longitudinally on saidguides, means of support between said sliding panel and said slidesarranged to permit rocking movements of said panel about a transverseaxis near to the middle of said panel, and means urging said panel toturn in one direction about said supporting means.

2. In an automobile having a windscreen, a roof structure comprising afixed roof extending over the rear part of said body and a sliding paneladapted to form a continuation of said fixed roof between it and saidWindscreen, two guide members one at each side extending under said xedroof forwardly to points of attachment on said windscreen, slidesmovable longitudinally on said guide members, means of support betweensaid sliding panel and said slides arranged to permit rocking movementsoi said panel about a transverse axis near to the middle of said panel,spring means tending to raise the front and to depress the rear of saidpanel, and means adapted to hold down the front end of said panel inengagement with said windscreen in the closed position of said panel.

3. In an automobile having a windscreen, a roof structure comprising afixed roof extending over the rear part of said body and a sliding paneladapted to form a continuation of said fixed roof between it and saidWindscreen, two guide members one at each side extending under said xedroof forwardly to points of attachment on said windscreen, slidesmovable longitudinally on said guide members, means of support betweensaid sliding panel and said slides arranged to permit rocking movementsof said panel about a transverse axis near to the middle of said panel,leaf springs attached to said panel beneath and at each side thereofnear the front and rear respectively, and brackets on said leaf springsarranged to engage with said slides, said leaf springs being arranged toco-operate in a direction tending to raise the front of said panel andto depress the rear thereof.

4. In an automobile having a windscreen, a roof structure comprising afixed roof extending over the rear part of said body and a sliding paneladapted to form a continuation of said xed roof between it and saidwindscreen, two guide members one at each side extending under said xedroof forwardly to points of attachment on said Windscreen, slidesmovable longitudinally on said guide members, means of support betweensaid sliding panel and said slides arranged to permit rocking movementsof said panel about a transverse axis near to the middle of said panel,spring means tending to raise the front and to depress the rear of saidpanel, a handle and means supporting it revolubly beneath said panelnear the front thereof, locking bars and means for extending them underthe control of said handle, and wedge members attached to said guidemembers in a position to be engaged by said locking bars when extended,whereby said panel is adapted to be held against the pressure of saidspring with its front end depressed in a forward position.

5. In an automobile having a windscreen, a roof structure comprising afixed roof extending over the rear part of said body and a sliding paneladapted to form a continuation of said xed roof between it and saidwindscreen, two guide members one at each side extending under saidfixed roof forwardly to points of attachment on said windscreen, slidesmovable longitudinally on said guide members, means of support betweensaid sliding panel and said slides arranged to permit rocking movementsof said panel about a transverse axis near to the middle of said panel,spring means acting in a direction tending to raise the front and todepress the rear of said panel, and means for holding said panel withits front end depressed against the action of said spring means when inits forward position, and sealing means arranged to provide weathertight-joints between the front of said panel and said windscreen on the onehand, and

between the rear of said panel and the xed roof on the other hand whenso held.

6. In a roof for an automobile including a xed section covering a partof the body, a movable section slidable from an extended positionoverlying another section of the body past an edge of the xed section toa retracted position masked by the fixed section, guides extendedparallel to the path of travel of the movable section and extending inspaced relation to a surface of the fixed section, and a slide movablealong each guide; means pivotally supporting the movable sectionsubstantially midway of its length on the slide for tilting about anaxis substantially parallel to the edge of the fixed section past whichit moves and between the margins of the movable section, said meansincluding resilient elements interposed between the end portions of saidmovable section and the guides and arranged to permitI tilting whileresisting lateral displacement of the movable section said movablesection being arranged to move past said edge of and to clear said xedsection, and said edge of the fixed section and an edge of the movablesection being arranged to be brought into 'Z 8 and out off-engagementibytiltingvo-thecmovabe UNITED .STATES .PATENTS sec-,tion .in itsextended.V loositimo.`

Name: :Date HERBERT'MGBBSL 23944112131 Bishop, v. May 1911936 GEORGE*-HENRY 5 2,-1108Li456 fhornpsfrrr tal.. M Feb. 15, 1938 2,245,832fSimpson- ...lune 17,1941

vFORJ'EEEGI' PATENTS The following references .are of record m Numberf-Country Datele .of 4this patent: 1n ,503)407 Great Britain Apr. 3, 1939REFERENCES

